7-Day Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari

Pickup : Kigali Airport
Drop-off : Kigali Airport

Tour Overview

This 7-Day Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari takes you through three of East Africa’s finest wilderness areas. You will begin with big game viewing in Akagera National Park, move on to chimpanzee tracking in the misty hills of Nyungwe Forest, and end with gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way there is room for optional extras such as birding, a canopy walk, and a visit to a local Batwa community. It is a journey built for travelers who want big game and rare primates in a single, well paced trip.

Cost Includes

Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
Park Entrance Fees
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
Boat Cruise
Bottled Drinking Water
Government Taxes

Cost Excludes

International Flights
Accommodation Before and After your Trip
Optional Iby'Iwacu Cultural Experience
Sourvenirs
Tips & Porter Hiring

Travel Plan

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali and Explore Akagera National Park

Your Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari begins the moment you land at Kigali International Airport, or when you check out of your Kigali hotel if you are already in the city. An Iconic Africa Safaris guide will meet you and settle you into a 4×4 Land Cruiser for the 2.5 hour drive to Akagera National Park. On arrival, enjoy lunch and a short rest before heading out on a late afternoon game drive. Akagera is home to the Big 5, so keep an eye out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. You will also spot zebras crossing the plains, giraffes browsing treetops, and impalas darting through the grass, while topis, kobs, and waterbucks gather near the water. This first drive is the perfect introduction to your safari before you settle in for the night at your lodge.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Mid Range) | Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise

Rise early for a full day game drive through Akagera’s varied landscapes. Your guide will navigate the bush tracks as lions roar in the distance, elephants move through the acacia woodland, and buffaloes gather in dark herds. Zebras kick up dust, giraffes reach for the treetops, and antelopes scatter across the plains. In the afternoon, board a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos wallow along the shoreline, crocodiles lie hidden in the reeds, and fish eagles and other birds soar overhead. This combination of land and water game viewing makes for one of the most memorable days of the trip. You will return to the lodge as the sun sets, full of stories from the day.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Mid Range) or Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, set off for Nyungwe Forest National Park. The route passes back through Kigali and covers roughly 6 to 7 hours of driving, winding through rolling tea plantations and past lively roadside markets. Your guide will share stories of Rwanda’s wildlife and history along the way, and you will stop for lunch at a small spot midway through the journey. You will arrive in Nyungwe by evening, at the edge of one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, home to chimpanzees, several other primate species, and over 300 recorded bird species. Stretch your legs after the long drive and settle into your lodge, ready for the forest adventures ahead.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Mid Range) | One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Chimp Trekking and Canopy Walk

After breakfast, head to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee trekking. Rangers will brief you at the park headquarters before you set off into the misty forest with armed guides leading the way. Listen for the chimps’ hoots echoing through the trees, since these calls help the guides track them down. You may find them swinging through the canopy, grooming one another, or feeding on fruit. The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on where the troop has moved, and once you find them you will have 1 hour to observe and photograph them at a respectful distance.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, head out for the Nyungwe canopy walk, one of only a handful in Africa. The walkway rises about 70 meters above the forest floor and stretches roughly 160 meters across the canopy, giving you sweeping views over the treetops. Keep an eye out for black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Hamlyn’s monkeys, as well as colorful turacos and bee eaters darting through the branches.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Mid Range) or One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Cross to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

After breakfast, pack up for the transfer to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, a drive of about 5 to 6 hours via the Cyanika border. Your guide will help you through the border formalities so the crossing goes smoothly. The route winds through volcanic hills, and you will stop for lunch at a roadside spot along the way. By afternoon you will enter Uganda’s ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Check into your lodge tucked into the forest edge and rest up for the big trek ahead.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Mid Range) or Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Second Trek)

Gorilla trekking is the centerpiece of your Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari and a memory you will carry with you long after the trip ends. Start the day with a hearty breakfast, since the trek ahead demands steady energy. You will arrive at the park headquarters by 7:30 AM for a short briefing, where rangers divide trekkers into small groups of 8, each assigned to a specific gorilla family. If you like, you can hire a local porter for around $15 to $20, and they will carry your bag and support you on the steeper stretches of the trail.

The trek sets off at 8:00 AM with armed rangers leading the way, clearing the path and keeping you safe as you move deeper into the forest. Depending on where the gorillas have moved, the hike can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, so pack light snacks and plenty of water to keep your energy up. The slopes can be steep and the undergrowth thick, but the anticipation keeps everyone moving forward.

Once you reach the gorillas, the rangers will ask the group to stay quiet, and your 1 hour of viewing time begins. You may see a silverback leading the family, mothers carrying their babies, and youngsters playing nearby, while others feed on bamboo, rest on the forest floor, or groom one another. The hour goes by quickly, but it is an experience that stays with you.

After the trek, descend back to your lodge for lunch and a well earned rest. In the evening, you have the option of a Batwa cultural visit, where you can meet the forest’s original inhabitants, listen to their traditional songs, and learn about their hunting dances, adding another layer of meaning to your journey.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Mid Range) or Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Return to Kigali for Departure

Enjoy a final breakfast at your Bwindi lodge before the 5 to 6 hour drive back to Kigali, winding through the border and the surrounding hills. You will stop for lunch once you reach Kigali City. Depending on your flight time, there is an option to fit in a Kigali City Tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can walk the memorial grounds and read survivors’ accounts as you learn about Rwanda’s history and its remarkable recovery. Your driver guide will then drop you at the airport or your hotel, bringing your Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari to a close.

Accommodation: None, unless requested at an extra fee
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Answered FAQs

How much does this safari cost?

The total cost of your Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari depends on your group size, the season you travel, and your chosen level of accommodation. Mandatory permit fees are included in your total trip cost and currently stand at:

Gorilla trekking permit (Uganda): $800 per person
Chimpanzee trekking permit (Rwanda, Nyungwe): $250 per person
Akagera National park entry fees: $100 per person

Permit prices are set by the respective wildlife authorities and can change anytime of the year, so we confirm exact figures at the time of booking. Let us know your group size and your preferred accommodation level in case you would like to upgrade from the options listed in the itinerary, and we will provide you with a full cost per person.

Can this itinerary be customized?

Yes. This Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari can be adjusted to fit your travel dates, group size, and interests. We can add extra days for birding, extend your stay in any location, upgrade or change accommodation, or include additional cultural experiences. Let us know what you have in mind and we will tailor the itinerary accordingly.

How physically demanding is this safari?

This trip ranges from easy to moderately strenuous. The game drives and boat safari in Akagera require no special fitness. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and gorilla trekking in Bwindi involve hiking on uneven, sometimes steep and muddy forest terrain at altitudes above 2,000 meters, and treks can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours round trip. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, and porters are available for those who want extra support on the trail.

What is the best time of year to go on this trip?

The best time for this Uganda and Rwanda Primates with Game Safari is during the 2 dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February. Trails are firmer and drier during these months, which makes trekking easier, and wildlife viewing in Akagera tends to be excellent as animals gather around remaining water sources. Trekking is possible year round, though the wetter months from March to May and October to November bring lusher scenery and fewer crowds.

What should I pack for safari?

We recommend packing the following for your trip:

Lightweight, neutral colored clothing for game drives and forest treks
A waterproof jacket or rain poncho, since forest weather can change quickly
Sturdy, closed hiking boots for gorilla and chimp trekking
Gardening style gloves for gripping vegetation on steep trails
A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Binoculars for game drives and birding
A camera with a fully charged battery and spare memory cards
A daypack to carry water, snacks, and rain gear during treks
Reusable water bottle
A basic first aid kit and any personal medication
A facemask, which may be required at certain checkpoints and mandatory for chimpanzee and gorilla trekking
Cash in US dollars for optional tips, optional porters and small optional purchases

Are the gorilla and chimpanzee permits guaranteed?

Permits are issued in limited numbers by the wildlife authorities in Uganda and Rwanda to protect the primate populations. Before your booking is confirmed, we first check permit availability, and once permits are purchased on your behalf, your trekking spot is guaranteed. Because demand is high during peak months, we recommend booking this itinerary 4 to 6 months in advance, especially if you are traveling in peak season.

What type of vehicle is used for transportation?

You will travel in a customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser fitted with a pop up roof for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicle is built to handle rough park tracks and rural dirt roads, comes stocked with bottled drinking water, and has an extended chassis so every passenger gets a window seat.